Piñatas Wear Costumes All Year Round: "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" for Xbox 360 Bursts Onto Store Shelves on 16th November

LONDON 30th October, 2007 - Microsoft Game Studios and Krome Studios present the latest party gaming extravaganza developed exclusively for Xbox 360. Arriving in stores on 16th November, "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" is a social party game for gamers aged six and up that is set inside an episode of the critically acclaimed 4Kids TV Viva Piñata animated series. Regardless of whether you are young or just young at heart, "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" is a real treat for gamers of all ages.

In the game, players star as their favourite candy-filled Piñata from the popular Saturday morning animated series including Franklin Fizzlybear, Hudson Horstachio, Paulie Pretztail, Fergy Fudgehog, and more as they compete for fame and fortune in more than 50 distinct mini-games and races across Piñata Island. "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" features Xbox LIVE and local multi-player contests, like Burps Ahoy!, where colourful Piñatas send burp fuelled sailboats across Lake Piñata! Nothing gets a hungry Piñata's candiosity up like a sweet, yummy caramel apple! Players bob their way through Caramel Apple Gobble taking big bites out of the fruit, chewing it up as fast as they can to be the first one done. Or they can squeal with delight as they tackle Blown Away - a game of hot potato unlike any other - where they trick their pals into being the one left holding an exploding jack o' lantern.

Plus, gamers will love taking on the persona of several new characters in the Piñata line-up who are ready to get their game on:

Meet Hailey Horstachio: There's only one way to describe Piñata Island's newest Spanish sensation, and that's "Muy Caliente!" No other Piñata combines style, glamour, and spice quite like Hailey Horstachio. Always seen at the right party with the right Piñata at the right time, Hailey's already established herself as a super-chic fashion icon who sets the trend every time she steps out on the scene. She's also a great athlete, and believes winning the competition will launch her star into the stratosphere, while also reminding another certain Horstachio that there's a new horsey on the block.

Meet Petunia Pretztail: Petunia may appear soft-spoken and well-mannered, but buried beneath that quiet exterior is a karate-chopping, kung-fu-fighting thrill seeker. Since arriving on Piñata Island from the Land of the Rising Sun, Petunia's daredevil-may-care antics have made quite an impression, good and bad. Some, like Paulie, find her aggressive streak a little intimidating, while others, like BFF Hailey Horstachio, appreciate her live-in-the-moment attitude towards life. Ultra-competitive and always up for a new challenge, Petunia can't wait to test her skills in the competition, score a big victory, and hopefully score some one-on-one time with a certain brainy Pretztail.

"Viva Piñata: Party Animals" is designed especially with friends and family in mind. Gamers of all ages can gather around the living room or connect from afar, with up to four gamers playing simultaneously over Xbox LIVE or split screen. "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" is the perfect game for parents looking for new ways to connect with their kids or friends just looking to share a few laughs. Pushing the advanced capabilities of the Xbox 360, "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" brings the colorful world of Piñata Island to life in way that'll ensure that fans have a blast whether they're playing for a few hours or just a few minutes.

Made exclusively for Xbox 360, "Viva Piñata: Party Animals" is available in stores from 16th November at £39.99.

The Perfect Accessory for Viva Piñata: Party Animals Fans

If you're shopping for the festive season your favourite little elf will love the new Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers in pink and blue. Adding a splash of colour to the holiday season for an estimated retail price of £32.99, the whole family can enjoy Xbox 360 with these bright additions to the "chill" and black Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers.

The pink and blue Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers will make a great gift for newer gamers. Delivering high-performance wireless gaming, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers feature all of the convenience and flexibility of the originals with a unique twist of personality. Now every member of the family can have a favourite colour controller to match their favourite animal from "Viva Piñata: Party Animals."

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For more information, press only:

Kate Szlendak/ 0118 909 5334/ v-kaszle@microsoft,com

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 will have a portfolio of more than 300 games and will be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows ( http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox and Xbox 360 ( http://www.xbox.com), including such games as "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo," "Fable®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "Forza Motorsport®"; and MSN® Games ( http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."

About Krome Studios

Krome Studios is one of the leading independent developers in the world and the largest game development company in Australia and with more than 300 employees across three studios - Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. Founded in 1999, Krome Studios is best known for developing the TY the Tasmanian Tiger series, which has sold two million units worldwide and is the one of the best-selling Australian games of all time. Krome Studios has shipped more than a dozen titles, including the TY the Tasmanian Tiger series, The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, King Arthur, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Jet Fusion.

About Microsoft

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